Kohima, February 1, 2026: Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio has expressed profound grief over the tragic bus accident that occurred between 10 Mile and Peducha along the Kohima–Dimapur road on the night of January 31, 2026, resulting in the deaths of five women and leaving several others injured.
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| Top: The five women who lost their lives in the bus accident. Below: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio |
In a message of condolence, the Chief Minister conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and comfort for those mourning the loss of their loved ones. Describing the incident as a tragic loss to the community and the state, Dr. Rio assured that the government would extend all possible support to the affected families during this difficult time.
As a measure of relief, the Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased victims. He also approved financial assistance of ₹50,000 each for those who sustained serious injuries in the accident and wished them a speedy and complete recovery.
The five deceased women were identified as A. Amongla (76), Imtimenla (58), Asangla Pongen (52), Bendangla Jamir (52), and Yangerinla (35). All of them were members of the Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Church and were reportedly travelling together when the accident occurred. Yangerinla, aged 35, was the youngest among the victims.
The accident, which took place on one of Nagaland’s busiest road corridors connecting Kohima and Dimapur, sent shockwaves across the state and prompted an outpouring of condolences from various organisations, church bodies, and community leaders.
On Sunday, a mass funeral service for the victims was held at the premises of Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo, where hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects. Family members, friends, church leaders, and members of the community attended the solemn service, offering prayers and tributes in memory of the departed women.
The atmosphere at the church compound was marked by grief and reflection as mourners remembered the lives and contributions of the victims to their families, church, and community. Church leaders offered words of comfort and hope, urging the bereaved families to remain steadfast in faith during their time of sorrow.
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The announcement of the ex-gratia assistance was conveyed through the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Nagaland. The state government reiterated its commitment to standing by the affected families and ensuring that those injured receive the necessary support and care.
The tragic accident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety in the state, with many citizens calling for greater caution and preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, Nagaland mourns the loss of five lives cut short in a devastating tragedy that has deeply affected the Chümoukedima community and the state as a whole.
